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Most of us want to be healthier. Some of us want to lose weight. Others are struggling with fatigue and chronic health problems. Yet if we’re honest, most of us aren’t getting healthier. We’ve either plateaued or are slowly getting worse. Why?

As a health and lifestyle coach, yoga teacher and Ayurvedic practitioner, I’ve learned that it’s not because we don’t know what actions we should be taking. We often do know what to do. And there’s never been a time when more advice, research, inspiration and knowledge has been so easily available to us. The trick is learning how to integrate those actions and healthy habits into our lives.

Here are two common traps that are bound to sabotage health success:

Trying to go it alone. If you’ve been trying to make positive change on your own for a while and you are not making progress, it’s time to shake things up. Get support. Surround yourself with others who have similar goals. Get a coach or a support group to inspire you, hold you accountable and cheer you on. Women, in particular, evolve much faster in groups. Men, in general, evolve faster working one-on-one with a coach.

Relying on Willpower. Simply put, willpower is way over-rated. It’s great to get you pumped up to take some immediate action, but changing your health habits is like running a marathon. It takes time. And I can guarantee that your enthusiasm and willpower will fade in and out. What works better? Building micro-habits into your life little by little. Making consistent small change.

Would you like some help? I help people who are over scheduled, overwhelmed and struggling with health issues get the vibrant body and vibrant life they’ve always wanted. Are you ready to step into lasting change? I’ll teach you how to use natural solutions to boost your energy, up level your health and find time for the things that are really important to you.

Check out my Vibrant Body Formula here. My next 10 week program starts Saturday, January 20th. It’s really a fabulous, uplifting, successful program! Reach out to me and let’s have a discussion to see if this is the right fit for you.

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Studies show that people who participate in a group are 80% more likely to achieve their health goals over individuals who go it alone. Let me say that again – that’s an 80% improvement! Why such a difference in the success rate?

Many of us know what we should be doing, but have a very difficult time implementing positive change in our life. Participating in a group offers you the following advantages:

Get support from the group and the coach. Be supported and nurtured when the going gets tough. Willpower and knuckling through the tough times is not sustainable!

Surround yourself with successful peeps. While your significant other or family may cheer you on from the sidelines, to be successful you have to hang around with people who are working on similar goals or who have already reached them. Family and friends sometimes unwittingly sabotage our efforts.

Learn from the successes and challenges of your peers in a place where you can be vulnerable and grow.

Use social pressure to your advantage. Having accountability is key to changing bad habits into good habits.

Consider these questions:

Are you out of integrity with what you say you value vs. how you live your life?

Are you a good health role model for your family and friends?

Have you struggled with a health issue and haven’t had success going it alone?

Is your self-care and health regimen stagnant? Are you inconsistent in your efforts?

Maybe I can help. My next 10-week health coaching program, called Vibrant Body Formula, starts formally on Saturday, September 23 (with a special kickoff on Wednesday, Sept. 13). It’s a perfect mix of private and group work that shows you how to make sustainable, long-term change.

I’d like to offer you a free 30-minute health strategy session where we’ll discuss your goals and challenges. Let’s see if this is the right fit for you. Go here to schedule an appointment.

Most of us know the benefits of meditation, but struggle to incorporate the practice into our lives. Whether you are new to meditation or just want to reengage with the practice, join me! Bring a friend!

Learn how to make the practice easier and more fulfilling

Get tips on how to incorporate meditation into your busy life

Learn 3 separate techniques….a super-short practice, a short practice and a “longish” practice

Get your questions answered and get advice on how to make it work for you

Walk away with resources to get you practicing

HOW TO REGISTER:

IMPORTANT: Pre-registration is required. Space is limited, so early registration is greatly appreciated. I may be able to accommodate some last minute attendees. All levels of meditators welcome! Click here to register.

This event is valued at $49, but I’m offering it to you for free. Why? I want you to get to know me as an Ayurvedic Practitioner. Please help me spread the word about my holistic healing services. If what I teach resonates with you and I can help you, I’d love it if you refer me to a friend or join my group health transformation course in September.

Arlington Community Church, 6040 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205. To find our space at ACC, park in the parking lot at the back of the church. When facing the back of the church, walk around to the right side of the building. Enter the door on the right side of the building, walk up the stairs and our room is on the left side.

SUZANNE MORGAN

I am trained as an Ayurvedic Practitioner (natural healing), health coach and nutrition consultant. I am also an advanced yoga teacher. I help people integrate natural solutions for healing into their lives for long-term results. I help people who are over scheduled, overwhelmed and struggling with health issues get the vibrant body and vibrant life they’ve always wanted. For more information about my work as an Ayurvedic Practitioner, Health Coach and Nutrition Consultant, go to: www.VibrantBodyFormula.com

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Sometimes I forget all the free tools that I’ve created for my peeps over the years. Perfect example: I have over 50 yoga videos on my YouTube Channel, Suzanne Morgan Yoga. I forgot did this great short video on relieving back pain. So here it is. 🙂

When it comes to back pain, I recommend doing fewer poses and holding the poses for two to five minutes. Less is more. Even if you just choose one pose out of this sequence, but practice every day, you’ll feel relief.

Don’t let the simplicity of the poses fool you. There are a lot of yoga videos for back pain out there. Many of them incorporate complex poses and poses with deep back bends. I’ve designed this video more for releasing tight muscles than for strengthening the body and the back.

If you don’t have back pain, you can still enjoy this video and use it as a short practice.

Namaste,

Suzanne

P.S. My wonderful, transformative health coaching group program starts Saturday, Sept. 9 and I am interviewing people for this program now. Whether you have a serious health issue or just need some solid structure and guidance to up level your health, connect with me and let’s discover if it’s a good fit. Check it out: www.vibrantbodyformula.com

Get my top recommendations for where to shop for supplies and suppliers I trust

HOW TO REGISTER:

IMPORTANT: Pre-registration is required. Space is limited, so early registration is greatly appreciated. I may be able to accommodate some last minute attendees. All levels of health welcome! Click here to register.

This event is valued at $69, but I’m offering it to you for free. Why? I want you to get to know me as an Ayurvedic Practitioner. Please help me spread the word about my holistic healing services. If what I teach resonates with you and I can help you, I’d love it if you refer me to a friend or join my group health transformation course in September.

Arlington Community Church, 6040 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205. To find our space at ACC, park in the parking lot at the back of the church. When facing the back of the church, walk around to the right side of the building. Enter the door on the right side of the building, walk up the stairs and our room is on the left side.

SUZANNE MORGAN

I am trained as an Ayurvedic Practitioner (natural healing), health coach and nutrition consultant. I am also an advanced yoga teacher. I help people integrate natural solutions for healing into their lives for long-term results. I help people who are over scheduled, overwhelmed and struggling with health issues get the vibrant body and vibrant life they’ve always wanted. For more information about my work as an Ayurvedic Practitioner, Health Coach and Nutrition Consultant, go to: www.VibrantBodyFormula.com

Want to resolve your health challenges with natural solutions? Do you need some inspiration and direction to get yourself on a positive health trajectory? Are you tired of not feeling your best? Come and join me next Monday for my free workshop.

Arlington Community Church, 6040 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205. To find our space at ACC, park in the parking lot at the back of the church. When facing the back of the church, walk around to the right side of the building. Enter the door on the right side of the building, walk up the stairs and our room is on the left side.

SUZANNE MORGAN

I am trained as an Ayurvedic Practitioner (natural healing), health coach and nutrition consultant. I am also an advanced yoga teacher. I help people integrate natural solutions for healing into their lives for long-term results. I help people who are over scheduled, overwhelmed and struggling with health issues get the vibrant body and vibrant life they’ve always wanted. For more information about my work as an Ayurvedic Practitioner, Health Coach and Nutrition Consultant, go to: www.VibrantBodyFormula.com

I help people who are overwhelmed, over scheduled and suffer from chronic health challenges get the vibrant body and vibrant life they’ve always wanted. I have space to help six new peeps this summer for private health and lifestyle coaching. Interested in learning more? Check it out here:Vibrant Body Formula.Then book your FREE 30 Minute Health Strategy Phone Session. We’ll discuss your health goals and challenges, identify the top thing that is holding you back and see if my services are a good fit for you.

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Want more energy? Want to feel more vibrant? Want to make your skin glow? One guaranteed way to give your body a big boost is to pack in more nutrients by increasing the diversity of plants and fruits that you eat.

This month I decided to up-level the diversity of my plant-based diet. I challenged myself to get as much diversity in a plant-based diet as I could. I emphasized eating organic (almost always), eating locally grown (mostly) and eating in season (lion’s share). The result: an unbelievable boost in energy and bragging rights to my health-conscious friends. 🙂 Here’s the 57 different veggies and fruits I had in the past 21 days:

apples

artichoke

arugula

Asian greens

asparagus

avocado

basil

bean sprouts

beets

blackberries

bok choy

broccoli

broccoli rabe

butter lettuce

cabbage

carrots

cauliflower

celery

chard, baby

cilantro

corn

cucumber, persian

cucumber, regular

dandelion greens

dill

eggplant

english peas

garlic

grapes

green onions

jalapeno

jicama

kale

kalettes

leeks

lemon

lime

mango

Meyer lemon

mint

onion

parsley

pineapple

Portobello mushrooms

ramps

red kale

seaweed

serrano chili

shallots

shiitake mushrooms

spinach, baby

strawberries

sugar snap peas

sweet potatoes

tangelo

tomatillos

tomatoes

turnip, baby

watercress

Yukon potatoes

Take the challenge. Start making a list of all the different fruits and vegetables that you eat. Then try to grow the list by ten or twenty plants over the next 21 days. Try a new vegetable or fruit you’ve never had before. Try eating veggies at each meal of the day. Then report back. Let me know your successes!

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Also known as boswellia, frankincense has been used for thousands of years as a powerful healing resin that comes from the frankincense tree. In addition to reducing inflammation, boosting immunity and reducing anxiety, frankincense is a powerful natural treatment for cancer.

Frankincense has the compound AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid) which research has shown to kill cancer cells in many types of cancer including breast, colon and prostate cancers as well as difficult to treat cancers such as ovarian cancer.

Of course natural remedies are meant to supplement, not replace, the care plan from your oncologist and other doctors. While there are no known side effects of using frankincense aromatherapy or topically (diluted by a carrier oil such as jojoba), always check with your doctor.

How to Use Frankincense Essential Oil

Place a drop or two of frankincense essential oil in an aromatherapy diffuser, and diffuse throughout the day. If you don’t have a diffuser, simply place a drop of the essential oil in a shallow bowl or glass of water next to you.

Ayurveda for Cancer Prevention & Recovery

If you are recovering from cancer or are interested in natural, healthy prevention strategies, join me for a special 6 week course starting May 24. I have only six spaces available, so contact me soon at suzannemorganyoga@yahoo.com. I’ll offer a wonderful support group where you’ll learn how to address calming the fear around cancer, best nutrition plan to boost your immune system, how to facilitate proper daily detox and more. Schedule a free 30 minute health strategy session with me here.

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Do you eat the same foods all the time? Do you have the same sad side of broccoli for dinner three times a week? Same salad for lunch most days? An easy way to give your health a huge boost is to make sure that you are eating a wide variety of plants. The average American diet is woefully lacking diversity, particularly with vegetables and fruits. Eating a diverse plant-based diet packs in nutrients and microbes that will boost your immune system and overall health. And another nice benefit is that by adding more diversity you’ll be less likely to crave naughty things.

I’ve been keeping a list of all the different fruits and vegetables that I’ve eaten in the last 10 days. I’m up to 33! My goal is to get to 50 within a month. Catch me if you can. (wink)

Join me with the challenge. First, keep a list of how many different fruits and vegetables you eat in one week. Then try to expand to at least 30 different varieties in one month. Want to be a health rock star? Try to eat at least one fruit or vegetable that you’ve never had before (Stinging nettle? Dandelion? Kolrabi?)

And one last suggestion – always eat in season and organic as much as possible.

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This article reviews various food cravings, why we crave what we do and briefly discusses the consequences of prolonged food cravings including overeating. It is a brief study of food cravings from Western medical, yogic and Ayurvedic perspectives and effective remedies to combat them. Food cravings can lead to indigestion by eating too much of a certain food or causing us to overeat in general. Habitually succumbing to food cravings creates disease in the body, including but not limited to diabetes, obesity, edema, ulcers, and toxic blood. Even occasionally succumbing to food cravings can cause digestive distress such as constipation, diarrhea, heartburn as well as fatigue, laziness, and lack of mental clarity.

About Food Cravings

In the Western world, there are many cultural references to food cravings and how it often results in excess or overeating. Advertising and popular culture bombards us with mixed messages as to whether we should live it up or show better self-restraint. From the camp that encourages indulgence comes the quote from the Muppet character Miss Piggy, “Never eat anything at one sitting that you can’t lift”. While this quote is clearly meant to be funny, the truth is that media repeatedly urges us that we “deserve a break today”. We deserve to indulge. The Western message is: Work hard, play hard, eat plenty.

At the same time, society judges those who do indulge. Our culture has deep Puritanical roots. There is a strong belief that those who crave then overeat simply lack self-restraint and moral fiber. This “more self-restraint is needed” camp might adhere to the following judgmental quote from Don Robinson: “One weakness of our age is our apparent inability to distinguish our needs from our greeds.” But is it really greed and weak morality that spawn food cravings, which then lead to excess, overeating and ultimately obesity? Let’s unravel the issue by examining food cravings.

Benefits

A food craving is a strong desire for a particular food or type of food. It is different from normal hunger. In our culture, food cravings can be easily dismissed as aberrations in routine (excess eating over the holidays) or emotions gone wild. First, it’s important to note that not all food cravings are bad or result in wrong eating. If we repeatedly crave anchovies, for instance, perhaps our bodies are low in iron or Omega-3 fatty acids. If we crave red meat, perhaps our blood needs to be enriched. We have the opportunity to view food cravings as good information without layering judgment on ourselves or others, or even vilifying a particular food.

In addition, food cravings can be an important symptom that facilitates medical analysis and treatment. Prolonged food cravings may point to more serious pathologies. For instance, intense or prolonged cravings for salt may be a symptom of adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s Disease) or Bartter Syndrome, a rare kidney disorder. In another example, those who have Bipolar Disorder often have intense cravings for sugar and simple carbohydrates when their levels of serotonin dip particularly low. These food cravings can be a clear signal – to both Bipolar patients and to their care providers – of when their mental health has gotten off track.

Ayurveda helps to flesh out food cravings by getting to the root cause of disease and dis-ease. Ayurveda is founded on the basic principle that each of us is individual and has different needs. The foods that bring one person into balance may cause imbalance in another. Ayurveda teaches us to become our own guru and develop the awareness of how the outside (our unique environment, life-style, food choices) affect our insides. Specific food cravings may indicate which Ayurvedic dosha or constitution is out of balance. More simply put – food cravings tell us where and how our diet, lifestyle and energetic state are out of balance. Then that awareness can help us determine which treatments, foods and live-style changes can bring us back in balance.

Types of Food Cravings & Detrimental Effects

When we look at the detrimental effects of food cravings, we can first separate out the effects of food cravings vs. the effects of succumbing to food cravings. This means that just the experience of having intense food cravings can have negative effects such as restlessness, discontent and irritability. Some individuals may have mild emotions, thoughts and feelings like being distracted. Others may experience much more intensity, such as a sense of panic that revolves around food cravings. It’s important not to minimize these sensations, as dismissing the physical sensations, feeling and thoughts can actually feed the cravings.

Next, as we explore the effects of succumbing to food cravings, we can categorize according to whether the food cravings are short-term and infrequent or are prolonged experiences. Even infrequently succumbing to food cravings can wreck havoc on our digestive system. Food cravings that lead to occasional overeating can cause digestive distress such as gas, bloating, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea and fermentation of foods that make our blood and bodies to varying degrees toxic.

Prolonged food cravings that lead to consistently overeating weaken the entire body. We lose energy. We become less immune to disease. Our organs become less effective, some even gradually shutting down. The heart, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen become taxed. Our metabolism slows down causing obesity.

When considering food cravings, most people think of craving sweets like chocolate and baked goods or salty treats like potato chips. But food cravings can include broader categories. It’s helpful to view this through the lenses of Ayurveda’s concept of the six tastes.

The following chart shows the type of food craving, which foods we are drawn to for that specific craving, the Ayurvedic constitution most affected, benefits and the most common effects, symptoms, pathologies and disease that result from prolonged cravings:

Causes

Food cravings can have various causes. As mentioned above, a specific disease or body deficiency may create the symptom of food cravings. A deficient diet void of a particular taste can then prompt strong cravings for that taste. A diet that is too restrictive or lacking variety can actually work against us creating more food cravings and programming our bodies to resist the hardship.

The mental element – our thoughts and the brain itself – can cause food cravings. This is the psychological aspect of food cravings – the belief that food cravings are more of a mental obsession rather than a physical desire. Three areas of the brain appear to drive food cravings, the hippocampus, insula and caudate. These pleasure seeking centers of the brain build associations of pleasure with food encouraging the link between eating certain foods and receiving a pleasure reward. Sometimes we crave food because of positive memories associated with that food.

Both Ayurvedic and Western disciplines believe that stress and strong emotions can be a primary cause of food cravings. Ayurveda attributes high anxiety or stress to a vata imbalance, strong emotions as a pitta imbalance and greed or attachment to food as a kapha imbalance. When there is emotional causation, a person tries to satisfy emotional issues with food. Food cravings are most often associated with the emotions or feelings of stress and anxiety. But certainly, anger, lust, loneliness, sadness and depression can trigger food cravings. All of these emotional components are an effort to self-soothe, to satiate at an emotional level.

Spiritual deficiencies may also cause food cravings. When one chronically suffers from feelings of being isolated, lack of meaning in life, lack of abundance and loss for being connected to a higher source, food craving may be an attempt to fill up the emptiness.

In the end, it may be difficult to separate the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual components. It’s most likely that more than one cause is at play and triggers another. Thoughts, feelings and emotions have a cellular impact on everything from the blood to the muscles to the hormonal system. The affect could be cyclic with the body then affecting our thoughts, feelings and emotions.

We could also consider a more simple cause. Habits are like a wagon wheel in the mud. If you go down the same path over and over, makes it difficult to move the wheel in a different direction. ** Poor eating habits when repeated over time strengthen the intensity of the food cravings. Therefore, food cravings beget more food cravings.

Solutions

What are some solutions to reduce food cravings and therefore overeating?

Awareness

The first line of defense in managing food cravings is awareness. And while both Western medicine and Ayurveda would agree that one would benefit from being more mindful of these cravings and the business of eating, Ayurveda refines this awareness by suggesting that we become mindful of the whole cycle:

the food cravings

the initial taste of the food (rasa)

how to eat most effectively – fully chewing, fully experiencing the tastes

noticing the initial effects (virya), i.e. whether it has an cooling or heating energy

and finally, the post-digestive effects of the food (vipaka)

Yoga & Meditation

Yoga and meditation can help build this awareness. There is significant proof that yoga and meditation reduce stress and anxiety and can fill the spiritual “hole in the soul”. Yoga and meditation first sharpen our skills of mindfulness, allowing us to make the link between the causes and the cravings. Reflecting in meditation can allow us to find the root causes of discomfort and teach us how to create space between the craving and taking action on the craving. Yoga poses reduce stress, detoxify the body and create an overall sense of wellbeing.

PsychoTherapy

It can be very helpful to work with a therapist trained in food addictions and eating disorders. The ability to be properly satiated is a learned skill. We can learn how to balance receiving pleasure and know when to stop. There is also research that shows that the act of considering the long-term consequences of food choices can reduce food cravings. A therapist helps us consider our impulses as well as the effects of our actions.

Simple Practices

We can reduce food cravings with some really simple practices. We can start by removing temptations from our home and work environments. Try not to get to hungry. Eat meals on time. Create healthy routines and stick to them. Try to nurture yourself in more positive ways. Importantly, establishing a healthy routine offers us protection from being hijacked by strong food cravings.

Foods can be used to reduce food cravings. Ayurveda creates balance by treating with the opposite affect. For instance, bitter greens, such as arugula, dandelion greens and kale may pacify cravings for sweet food. When one craves an excess of pungent foods, eating sweet and gooey foods can help pacify the cravings.

Herbal Remedies

There are many herbal remedies to combat food cravings. Drinking a tea of licorice root, mint and chamomile provides a sugar substitute, suppresses the cravings and calms the mind. The herb gurmar (gymnema sylvestre) is a bitter herb that reduces food cravings, especially for the craving for sweets. Triphala guggulu balances the doshas, gentle cleanses and detoxifies. It supports healthy digestion and lowers blood sugar. Ashwaganda is a classic herb to calm the mind and help with the mental causes of cravings. And brahmi/gotu kola is particularly helpful for food cravings. It helps with all cravings and addictions. It aids specifically in reducing sugar cravings.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can be used to help us feel satiated, to reduce strong negative emotions and to suppress appetite. There is a great body of evidence that inhaling the essential oils of lavender and bergamot reduce the feelings of anxiety and stress. The essential oil of orange reduces depression. Ylang ylang can support a general sense of well being. And most interestingly, inhaling peppermint is said to directly affect our brain’s satiety center, the ventro-medial nucleus of the hypothalamus, helping to specifically combat food cravings.

Summary

Looking at our food cravings can give us a unique mirror into our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual lives. It gives us the opportunity to explore the gracious balance between fully experiencing pleasure and taking responsibility for our well being. Practicing this helps us reflect on what we value and what we believe. With awareness, compassion and clarity, we can reveal ourselves to ourselves.

In Ayurvedic Cooking, Usha Lad and Dr. Vasant Lad speak to this balancing act: “According to Ayurveda, each taste used collectively or individually in the appropriate dose brings about balance of all the bodily systems and yields happiness and good health to all living beings. But if used improperly, much harm can result. So one should learn the normal and abnormal effects of these six tastes and make use of them properly in daily cooking.” May we act effectively, but always gently.

** a reference to the yoga philosophy of samskaras

Suzanne Morgan

Ayurveda Practitioner, Health & Lifestyle Coach + Yoga Therapist

I help people who are over scheduled, overwhelmed and struggling with health issues get the vibrant body and vibrant life they’ve always wanted. Are you ready to up level your health and your life? I’ll teach you how to use natural solutions to boost your energy, up level your health and find time for the things that are really important to you.

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Here’s my latest breakfast inspiration, a versatile green smoothie. One of the keys with making your smoothie satisfying is to add healthy fat. Healthy fats are an important part of a nutritious diet and help our bodies assimilate other nutrients.

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Want to rate your overall health? I just posted my exclusive Master Health Assessment and audio. This is what I use to periodically rate my own overall health and it’s one of the tools I use with my clients.

Check it out here and get your score. Maybe you’ll beat me. My current score is 118. 🙂

Get me as your health & lifestyle coach for 10 weeks! I’ll walk with you step-by-step and customize strategies for your health and lifestyle challenges. Fast, lasting results with a program that fits into your busy life.

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Need to hit the “HEALTH RESET” button? Have you been overindulging, eating heavy or sweet foods or just want to feel good in your body super quick? Try this clean & healthy veggie soup that takes minutes to make. I’ll have this for breakfast, lunch or dinner –whenever I feel like I’m lacking energy, have brain fog or overindulged.

INGREDIENTS:
1 small zucchini, chopped
2-3 carrots, peeled & chopped
2-3 sticks of celery, chopped
1 clove of roasted garlic
1/2 tsp - 1 tsp of red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp - 1 tsp of salt
1 and 1 half cubes of Rapunzel Veggie Bouillon
1/2 of a large avocado - or 1 small
1 date
3-4 cups of hot water
bit of olive oil
Cook veggies in a bit of olive oil until softened.
Add red pepper flakes and salt. Bloom spices.
While veggies cook, soak date in hot water for a few minutes
to make it easy to remove the skin and pit. Add to soup.
Let bouillon soak in 2 cups of hot water.
Add bouillon water, garlic, and extra water to pot and
cook for about 15 minutes. Add avocado.
Then blend with an immersion blender.
Add micro greens (see below) for even more of a pranic boost.
Enjoy!
***Feel free to swap out different kinds of veggies.
This is a free-spirit soup!

FASCINATING FOOD FACT:

Did you know that micro greens and sprouts, like the ones pictured above, have a whopping 300% more nutrition per weight than more mature plants? Add some today to your salads or soups and get REAL nutrition from REAL food. It’s time to stop taking those mostly very ineffective vitamin supplements folks! Sorry! (Not sorry!)

JOIN MY 10 WEEK HEALTH COACHING PROGRAM – STARTS MARCH 4!

Let me show you how to boost your energy, decrease overwhelm and anxiety, eat for better health, manage your weight and feel great – all with natural, healthy solutions!

P.S. Register by May 15, 2017 and get a BONUS 60 Minute Private Session with me. Use your private session for a customized Health & Nutrition Consultation, a Private Yoga Session or a Food Makeover – invite me into your home in person or by Skype and I’ll give your pantry and refrigerator a FOOD MAKEOVER! Now how fun is that? 🙂

If you asked people about me, one of the first things they would say is that “She smiles easily”, “Suzanne is always smiling.”, “She seems very happy.”

Yep, it’s all true. But it didn’t used to be that way. I used to have gut-wrenching anxiety – ALL THE TIME. My life was full of fear and attachment. I looked good on the outside, but let’s just say that my insides were not happy!

Here’s My Secret

My secret is that I learned how to thrive in my body, mind and spirit by going in-depth with yoga and meditation. I also learned that a proper diet and a daily nourishing routine (Ayurveda) gives me this strong platform on which I can (stop thinking about myself!!!) serve others.

Can I help you find the path to peace, health and service? Are you ready to start this Friday?

You Are Ready

Once a year, I offer a 10 month yoga intensive for a small thoughtful group. I am definitely not looking for buff athletes. I am interested in working with individuals who are open to learning how yoga can heal the body, mind and spirit (yours and others!). Hint: what we do in yoga class is only 10% of what yoga really is. There is so much more…and it’s not about having great yoga poses.

If you want to teach yoga someday, you’ll be in the right place. But most people take advantage of the vast tools of yoga to reshape their lives.

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Valentine’s Day is such a wonderful holiday. It’s another day to share our love. And I love taking care of you. Join me this Saturday at 9 am in Arlington, VA (USA) for a pre-V-day celebration. I’ll have some sweet V-day gifts for you. Also, on Saturday I’ll be teaching a fun-filled PARTNER YOGA CLASS. So if you’d like, bring a significant other, friend or child. But if you are a party of uno, don’t be put off. I’ll be your partner or one of my assistants.

Next: Mark your calendar for some upcoming special events.

Friday, Feb. 19, at 6 pm is the start of one of my favorite things I do all year: the 200 hour Yoga Awakenings Teacher Training and Yoga Intensive. No need to want to become a yoga teacher. Definitely no need for perfect yoga postures. Learn the amazing lifestyle, philosophy and keys to healthy living in this accessible 10 month program. BUT HURRY! All the deets are on my website. Please ask me questions. I’d love to have you join. Payment plans available. https://suzannemorganyoga.com/teacher-training-yoga-intensive/

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6-9 pm – Healthy Cooking Class (You will love this. It’s hands on in my own kitchen – and lots of fun. Very limited availability. Sign up will be available starting tomorrow) $60

Saturday, March 12, 11 am – 3 pm; Ayurveda’s Guide to Clean Living – Learn how to Clean & Live Green for You and Your Home. Give your house and your self a good Spring cleaning. Learn environmentally supportive ways to take care of you, your family and your home.(Very limited availability. Sign up will be available starting tomorrow) $75

Also, TOMORROW is the last day to get your name in for the drawing for a FREE private yoga class or Ayurveda consultation (value $90!) by moi. Send me your feedback with my short survey.Click here to help me, please!

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You’ve been a student or yoga/Ayurveda associate of mine for a while now. Or you follow and learn from my blog. First off, I am sending you heartfelt love and gratitude for being in my life. It’s an honor to be on the yoga path with you. Thank you from the depths of my heart.

If you’ve been following my life journey recently, you know that I’ve created a desire to live this year courageously. Every morning when I wake up, I decide what courageous act I can do that day. Maybe it’s having a difficult conversation with someone. Maybe it’s making time on the mat for meditation and yoga a priority (Self-care can slip down the list, right?). But this morning, my courageous act is to ask for your help.

I want to share the gifts of yoga and Ayurveda with more people this year. I want to deliver meaningful practices and health solutions. But instead of just running full steam ahead with an idea that I think is brilliant (but that may or may not be that helpful in the light of day), I need your help in determining where to sail my ship, so to speak.

What I’m asking for is a few moments of your time to give me feedback on:

(1) what issues you face – so I can learn the overall challenges of my peeps

(2) what are your goals or desires relating to well being – where should we be steering our ship?

(3) how I’ve been of value to you – so I can learn my unique offerings;

(4) how can I improve – what can I do more of or less of?

This survey should take about 5 or 10 minutes to complete. Will you please invest that time to help me?

Of course, all feedback is completely confidential. I won’t even share the results with Olivia (my child dog) – ha! I’ll simply use anything you provide me with to hone my services and deliver more good into the world – and especially for you.

As an incentive for your participation, I’d like to enter you into a random drawing for a FREE yoga private or Ayurveda consultation (value $90); We can conduct that consultation in person or by Skype at your convenience. There will be 2 winners and your chances of winning are good!

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As I talk to individuals who are considering participating in a yoga teacher training program, I uncovered some common myths and assumptions that frankly, quite surprised me.

Maybe I’ve been teaching for too long (13 years – yay!), so I sometimes forget to step into the student’s mind. Plus, the downside of yoga being so ubiquitous is that the media has portrayed yoga students and teachers as white, skinny, affluent, young Americans with chiseled bodies (Not so, read below!).

So for those of you who are longing to organize your life in a healthy, natural way and want to experience the deeper benefits of yoga, don’t let these 5 common misconceptions keep you from this life-changing experience:

Here are the 5 Myths:

“To become a ‘real’ yoga teacher, I need to be a white, skinny, young, affluent, female American.” This is absolutely false. True yoga is available to everyone. In my program, I honor all ethnicities, body shapes and ages. This yoga intensive is available to all. You should however have been in a yoga class or have practiced yoga long enough to know that there is more to yoga than the physical poses. If you want to teach, there is actually a lot more work available for those who have the calling to work with others like themselves. Niche markets such as teaching retirees, children, the elderly, corporate yoga, yoga for chronic pain or special conditions abound. What I teach you is to use your “weaknesses” as your strengths.

“I have to be flexible to be good at yoga.” Absolutely, wrong, wrong, wrong. If you are inflexible, you will be able to experience the physical yoga poses in a way that both protects your body and also teaches you how to teach others who are inflexible (the majority of the population). Whoever said being a good yoga student or yoga teacher requires flexibility isn’t practicing or teaching true yoga.

“My yoga poses aren’t good enough for me to start this type of program.” No, no, no, my friends. First off, my Yoga Awakenings Teacher Training Program is about 10% focused on learning and improving your yoga poses. Yes, you will learn alignment and have lots of one-on-one time with me to learn yoga poses. In addition, you’ll learn the true depth of yoga learning key skills on health, managing anxiety and fear, living the loving principles of yoga and how to be of service in the world (on or off the mat).

“I can’t start a yoga intensive or teacher training program because I don’t have a solid yoga and meditation home practice.” I can assure you that most people entering a teacher training program do not already have a consistent and fulfilling home practice. One of the keys that you will learn is how to integrate yoga more deeply into your life – at home and out in the world.

“The Yoga Awakening Teacher Training Program is only for people who want to become yoga teachers.” Nope, not true. While some participants of my program will be eager to become professional yoga teachers, I’d estimate that 50-75% of those who take a teacher training program have no plans to teach yoga. (This is true for not just my program, but almost all teacher training programs.) My program is a life program. You will learn how to rest with the big questions of life (who am I? why am I here? how can I live in a space of integrity and peace?). You’ll learn how to nourish your body. You’ll learn the fascinating and rich traditions of yoga that address taming the mind, healing the body and tapping into the spirit.

Are you interested in deepening your yoga and meditation practice and becoming healthier in your body, mind and spirit so that you can help others no matter what your life path? Consider my very special program. Take these five steps:

I just got in from digging out from our Metro DC snowstorm and I recorded this note for you. If you are interested in a beautiful life course and expanding your knowledge of yoga and ayurveda, listen to my free audio below. It’s about 15 minutes long. Then see my (earlier) post below for how to download a 26 page PDF to get more details about the Yoga Awakenings Intensive which starts February 19!

Living and teaching from a place of authenticity and love is the heart of this program. It’s a passionate playground where awareness, inspired action and wellness skip hand-in-hand. Come and join me on the playground. You’ll laugh – I promise. – Suzanne Morgan

I am accepting applications now for the 2016 Yoga Awakenings Teacher Training and Yoga Intensive. Ready to change your life? Consider joining my upcoming 200 hour program which starts February 19, 2016. Registration is limited so start the process by completing this application: Yoga Awakenings application

Send answers to: suzannemorganyoga@yahoo.com

Yoga Awakenings Teacher Training and Yoga Intensive is a200-hr Registered Yoga School with Yoga Alliance. At completion of the program, graduates are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher(RYS). Yoga Awakenings Teacher Training Program and Yoga Intensive will help you more deeply connect with your body, tame your mind and let your spirit soar.

This program offers practical solutions both for those seeking to teach yoga and for others who simply want to deepen their yoga practice. Learn tangible therapeutic, energetic, yoga skills to help yourself or others who suffer from illness and pain, stress or a mind that won’t seem to quiet. This 200 hour program is firmly grounded in yoga philosophy. It offers very practical applications for how to teach yoga and therapeutics for healing the body. It will help you build confidence that you can apply to all areas of your life. Living and teaching from a place of authenticity and love is the heart of this program. It’s a passionate playground where awareness, inspired action and wellness skip hand-in-hand. Come and join me on the playground. You’ll laugh – I promise.

At completion of this program, you will:

have practical knowledge to enable you to start teaching beginner and all-level yoga;

have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of yoga therapy;

have learned the history and basic philosophy of yoga. You’ll learn how to begin to teach these fundamental principles in a yoga class and/or how to apply it to your life;

learn specific skills on how to become an effective and ethical yoga teacher;

become a more adept yoga practitioner having learned different tools, styles and energetic practices to open the body and calm the mind.

If you have benefited from yoga and would like to share the gift, consider joining me on this spectacular journey. I welcome all inquiries and will not discriminate based on your age, weight or current profession.

This is a foundational course that is meant to help you deepen your own practice so that you can share the love (in a classroom of your own someday or in the supermarket) with others. If you are interested, please sign up today! Program starts February 19, 2016.

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Tired of moving like a much older version of yourself? Learn how yoga can heal back pain and help you stay lively and healthy.

For ten years, I had chronic back, neck and shoulder pain from scoliosis. While yoga didn’t cure my scoliosis, it healed my body and totally relieved me from pain. My healing from this pain is why I became a yoga teacher. I love sharing these solutions with others!

Even low grade pain takes a huge toll on our bodies and zaps us from having the energy to be fully present to others and comfortable in the world.

Yoga for a Healthy Back – Tuesday, January 19 7 – 8:30 pm

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to strengthen, stretch and relax the body to address back pain. It’s important to have a mix of strengthening and stretching. For instance too little core work weakens the back. Too much core work exacerbates back pain. In addition to the muscles in the upper and lower back, we’ll learn how to target some major muscle groups that can play a big role in back pain (tight glutes and hips, weak psoas, etc.)

Learn how to care for your back and walk away with some short yoga practices that you can do at home.

Please bring a yoga mat and a blanket (that will be used for support in some of our yoga poses). If you have yoga blocks, please bring them as well. All levels welcome.

HOW TO REGISTER:

Space is limited, so early registration is greatly appreciated. I may be able to accommodate some last minute attendees. $30 per person. Please register online. You can pay by credit card online or register online and pay by cash or check in person. Make checks payable to: Suzanne Morgan. Click here to register.

Arlington Community Church, 6040 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205. To find our space at ACC, park in the parking lot at the back of the church. When facing the back of the church, walk around to the right side of the building. Enter the door on the right side of the building, walk up the stairs and our room is on the left side.